I’ve certainly had my say about the Barcelona players’ reaction to last week’s game at the Nou camp and in the run up to Wednesday’s return leg at Stamford Bridge, Guus Hiddink has finally heard enough from them too.

In answer to their whinges about our physical brand of anti-football, Hiddink says quite rightly, “Football is a man’s game.  I understand that Barcelona are disappointed because they are used to scoring three or four goals at home and we did not let that happen.  But we are not going to say ‘sorry’ for not conceding.  The emphasis for my team is always on being a winner, not giving in and crying when things don’t go well.  This team has the character to fight for what they want and they don’t throw in the towel.  I have watched the DVD of the entire match and I don’t think it was as bad as Barcelona suggested just after the game.  There were some good fights between the players but nobody had any intention to hurt the opposition and it was all within the rules. There was one challenge from Michael Ballack that was punished with a yellow card by the referee, his fellow countryman.  But, other than that, there was nothing wrong.  Face the facts. If we had gone beyond the rules I would be the first person to say ‘yes, you’re right’. But they have nothing to blame us for.”

Obviously, Barca feel the need to gain some kind of advantage from the officials before a ball has even been kicked although Hiddink remains un-phased, stating “We don’t yet know who will be the referee for next week’s game but I don’t believe we have anything to worry about.  I know how it goes in Spain and I know this was the first time all season that they did not score at home. I remember their manager Pep Guardiola as a player and he liked to tackle within the rules and it is the same with this Chelsea team.  We don’t like to lose but we always play in a proper way.”

Look like the gloves are off then?

Filed under: Europe, Rants